What is WIA-ARIA?
I came across this methodology of designing online while interviewing a web designer for the main site that I run, SpicyWebDesigners.com and I had no clue what WIA-ARIA (aka. Accessible Rich Internet Applications) stood for or even meant. After Alex Gewessler explained its meaning I was intrigued to know more so I decided to check out w3Schools and found the following…
“WAI-ARIA, the Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite, defines a way to make Web content and Web applications more accessible to people with disabilities. It especially helps with dynamic content and advanced user interface controls developed with Ajax, HTML, JavaScript, and related technologies.”
Source: W3C: WAI-ARIA Overview
I am glad to see that organizations like W3C (world wide web consortium) are taking steps to ensure that disabled persons can access the internet as well. I haven’t found many web designers who specialize in this particular understanding of Accessible Internet Application development but I am sure that in the coming years we will see more standards related to this type of consideration being made when planning and implementing a web site or business system that runs online. Just thought I’d share.
Luc
